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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Marine Fisheries is trying to determine whether the whales are migrating through areas with dense shipping traffic in search of food or if other factors are behind the surge in deaths and injuries.

DEC Spokeswoman Lori Severino said the state is working on the problem with other stakeholders.

“DEC remains concerned about this phenomenon as well and has an ongoing aerial whale monitoring program along this state’s coastline,” she said.

“This summer it will be expanded to include a whale acoustic monitoring program near the shipping lanes.”

In addition to the minke whale that died after landing on Orchard Beach on Sunday, whales washed ashore in Queens on Jan. 13 and April 4.